The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has selected The Glosten Associates as its partner to design a floating platform system demonstrator integrated with an existing full scale, state of the art wind turbine. The aim of this project is to accelerate the market introduction of floating foundations for offshore wind turbines so that they can be quickly deployed in areas that are unsuitable for conventional offshore wind farms, potentially opening up new areas and dramatically cutting the cost of offshore wind energy technology. The ETI and Glosten Associates are looking to demonstrate the floating platform for up to ten years at the Wave Hub deployment site. Wave Hub Limited is therefore proposing to broaden the existing use of Wave Hub to include offshore wind and to secure consent to deploy a single floating platform with a wind turbine in one berth of the deployment site. The demonstration project would connect into the existing subsea infrastructure and the electricity generated would be distributed via the Wave Hub substation into the local grid network.The proposed deployment and operation of a floating offshore wind platform within the Wave Hub deployment site would operate in parallel with wave energy devices deployed on the site in the remaining three berths.

Programme of Works (stages and timings)

Project components are expected to be fabricated by late spring 2015. The steel platform will be fabricated in a dry dock and the turbine components will be installed on the quayside. The two major elements of the platform and turbine will then be brought together at the quayside. This is expected to take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland. The anchors, dynamic electricity export cable, and the turbine/platform assembly are expected to be installed during summer 2015. The turbine is expected to be operational by December 2015. The turbine is expected to operate for up to 10 years at Wave Hub with generated power exported to Western Power Distribution's local distribution network via the Wave Hub onshore substation at Hayle. Measurement and monitoring of system performance will be conducted throughout its deployment.

Related Consents/Applications

Are there any previous Marine Management Organisation consents or applications relating to this application